Local Governments

How you can support NCSAM

Local governments heavily rely upon the Internet to conduct business each day, especially when sharing information with constituents. As a local government official, you can play a pivotal role in helping your community stay safe and secure online.

A great place to start is by participating in National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) this October. Whether you are able to show your support for just one day or every day this October, consider the following ways you can make a difference to raise cybersecurity awareness.

Send an email to your agency and its partners announcing October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Encourage them to display the NSCAM poster in public places (offices, libraries, post offices, etc.) beginning Oct. 1. Download the poster here.

…in one hour:

Show your cybersecurity leadership by making your agency an NCSAM Champion. It’s free and simple to sign up.

Include cybersecurity as an agenda item in an upcoming staff or council meeting. Discuss how to include tips from STOP. THINK. CONNECT., the global cybersecurity education campaign, into your efforts to ensure citizen safety.

…in one day:

Ask your elected leadership to issue a formal proclamation in support of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, observed nationwide each October. Hold a public event for the proclamation signing and invite the local media to discuss ways your agency has helped the community improve its online safety. Download the local government proclamation template.

Hold a town hall discussion for your business community to discuss the importance of having strong cybersecurity measures in place. Small and medium-sized independent businesses are among the most frequently targets of cybercriminals. Share resources for small businesses from private-sector parties and federal government agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.